Pressure oil still



May 4' ,1926. 1,582,929

' R. E. HUMPHREYS PRESSURE on. STILL.

Filed Jan. 7, 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 1 20/7 3 ZerfZE Nxx\\\ Till. a P 0 z 7.. 0% w May 4 1926. 1,582,929

R. E. HUMPHREYS PRESSURE OIL STILL Filed Jan '7 1921 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiverzZvrf.

JFOZerZEIZcm 271? o;

May 4 1926.

- R. E. HUMPHREYS PRESSURE OIL STILL Filed Jan. 7 1921 3 Sheets-Sheets Patented May 4, 1926. I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT E. HUMPHREYS, OF WIIITING, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR'TO STANDARD OIL COM- PANY OF WHITING, INDIANA, AND CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF IN- DIANA.

. Application flledlianuary 7, 1921. Serial- No. 435,700..

To all whom z 't may concern:

Be it known that I, RoBEirr E. .IHUM-V 'PHREYs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Whiting, in the county of Lake and State off Indiana, have invented a new and, useful Improvement in Pressure Oil 1 Stills, of which the fication.

The present invention'relates to oil stills, andmo'reparticularly to such stills intended following is a specifor 'the distillation of oil under high pres-- extend from. the lower portion of the upper drum tothe upper portion of the lower sure, for example, pressures of the order of 350 pounds per square inch. It will be fully understood from the following description thereof, illustrated by. the accompanying drawings, in which a specific embodiment of the'invention is shown.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is, a vertical section thru the still, the setting being likewise shown in section; Fig. 2 shows upon the left half of the figure a front elevation of the still, the f'rontof the setting being shown in section asindicated on the line 2 2 in Fig. 1, and the right half of which shows a vertical section thru the still on the line 2 2 of Fig. Land F' g. 3 shows a front elevation-of the still. Referring moreparticularly to the draw-' ings, the numeral 10 indicates the still setting, the parts ef which will be described in greater detail in connection with the various the setting 10, a-fireplace 11 or other suitable combustion chamber is provided, the combustion gases issuing therefrom being forced to travel upwardly around the arch 12 thru the main heating chamber 13 and issuing from the furnace thru the flue 14.

2A plurality of drums or cylinders 15, 16, 17, and 18, which extend longitudinall of the furnace setting, are arranged therea we and serve as containers for the bulk supply of oil undergoing distillation. These drums, which may be lagged, if desired, are preferably. arranged inpairs, the drums of each pair being vertically disposed one above the other, as illustrated in connecti n with the Y pairs of drums comprising 15 an 16, or'that comprising drums17 and 18. As the relative arrangement of each pair of drums is "the same, that of only one pair of drums 15' and 16 will be described in detail.

.rnnssuan on. STILL.

The drums 15' and 16are positioned with their axes substantially parallel each other, and the rear. ends of the drumsare preferably elevated slightly above the forward ends. The drums 15 and 16 are spaced from each other, and retained in their proper relationship by the spacers or webs 19, 19

.which are supported upon the lower drum 1 t 16, and upon whichthe upper drum 15 rests. On each side of the center. .line'of the drums, a plurality. of 'curvedor bent pipes 20, 20

drum these pipes or tube sections being rolled into the walls of thedrums at each end. 'Each pair of drums is supported in swings 21, there being at least one near the front andjone near the rear. These swings are suspended from the cross beams 22,

.which. area-mounted upon the uprights 23, '23. The rear wall-of the furnace setting 10 is extended upwardly as indicated at 24 to a point such that it isbarely cleared'byl the'lowermo'st of eaeh pair of drums and thus serves as a support for the drums .in. case of failure of the swings from which they are supported.

A vapor outlet 25 is provided near the rear end of each of the uppendrums of the several pairs of drums, and each of these vapor outlets gcommunicates with a vapor manifold 26. The manifold 26 is in turn parts of the still. Illfllllfl front portion of provided with an outlet 27, which may communicate withe a suitable vapor line or run back .(not shown) connected to a condenser and the manifold .26 'is likewise provided downwardly depending leg 30 with a transverse, horizontal drum 31, which" may suit ably be supported'on the top of the furnace setting .10, as more fully hereinafter described. At their rearends, each of the lower drums 16, 1 8 is provided with a depending leg or downcomer 32 by which it communicates witha lower horizontal transverse drum 33, secured in the lower portion of of the furnace setting 10. A pluralit upwardly inclined tubes 35, 35 extend. rom the lowerdrum 33 thru the main combustion or heating chamber 13 to the upper drum 31. The lower drum is provided with a feed pipe 36 and a discharge pipe 37 referably arranged near the opposite en s of the drum. Plugs, as indicated at 38, 38- may be screwed into openings in the upper transverse drum 31 and their removal permlts inspection of its condition and ofthat of the tubes 35.-

The upper transverse drum 31, in the construction illustrated, is cradled in a depression in the front portion of the roof of the furnace, preferably in a bed of granulated fire brick or similar refractory material, which is retained in position by suitable sealing plates 39. The lower transverse drum 33 is supported in a refractory brick cradle 40 between the rear wall of the furnace setting 10 and the wall 41 of the flue 14. It is protected from the heat of'the combustion chamber 13 by the bed (42 of granulated fire brick or similar refractory material, whichis held in position by suitable sealing plates 43. 1

As is readily apparent, the fireplace may be provided with suitable inspection openings 45, 45, wherever deemed desirable,

In beginning the operation of the still, the charging stock, which may be, for ex-' ample, a heavy hydrocarbon oil of the character of the fuel oil distillate from midcontinent crude having a specific gravity of 32 to 34 Baum, is charged into the still thru the feedpipe 36 until the uppermost longitudinal drums 15, 17 are partially filled. The transverse drums 31=and 33, the

-' phreys, Rogers and Pan tubes 35, 35, the legs 30, 30, the downcomers 32, 32, the lower longitudinal drums 16, 18 and the connecting tubes 20,20 are. then completely filled with the oil. Firing is then begun and the vapors are permitted I to escape freelyuntil any. water present in the charging stock has been removed. The vapor outlet 27 from the manifold-26 is then connected with a suitable refluxing and condensing system (not shown), the still is placed under pressure,'either autogenous or from an extraneous source, and firing continned'nntil the stock in the still is, brought to the required or desired temperature. The pressure maintained upon the still may be, for example, 250 pounds per square inch, the temperature of the stock being controlled to produce the desired rateof conversion thereof into light boiling products, for example, of'the gasoline type in the "manner described in the prior a plication of Hun1-' l uaserial. No. 312,- 398, filed July 21st, 1919. The bulk supply of the oil undergoing distillation is distributed thru the plurality of longitudinal drums, 15, 16, 1"; 18, each of which is of relatively small diameter as compared with the diameter of a-single drum which would be required to contain the entire bulk supply companying claims.

of oil. By the arrangement of the upwardly inclined tubes 35, 35 within the combustion chamber of the furnace, and their connection with the lower transverse drum 33 and the upper transverse drum 31, each of which is connected with the longitudinal drums forming the bulk supply containers, a rapid semicyclic circulation of the'stock is maintained during the entire heating period. During the distillation, fresh stock may be supplied thru the feed pipe 36, or if desired, it may be supplied thru the run back connected to the Vapor outlet 27.

When it is desired to conclude the distilling operation, the firing is stopped, the stilland its contents permitted to cool sufliciently to permit the removal of the tar or residuum thru the discharge pipe 37, and the still may then be cleaned.

Altho the present invention has been described in connection with the specific details of an embodiment thereof, it is not intended that these details shall be regarded 'as limitations 'upon the sco e of the invention, except in so far as inc uded in the ac- I claim:

1. In an oil still for operation under high pressure, a plurality of sets of cylindrical oil containers, each set comprising an upper and a lower container, vapor outlets from the tops of said upper containers, a transverse drum below the lower containers of the said sets and communicating with one end of each thereof, a second transverse drum below the", first mentioned transverse drum and communicating with the other end of the lower containersofisaid' sets of containers, upwardly directed tubes between said transverse drums, and means for applying heat to said tubes'..

2. In an oil still for operation under high pressures, aplurality of pairs of cylindrical oil containers, the containers of each pair being arranged one vertically above the other, spacing means between the upper and lower container of each pair, a plurality of curved tubes connecting the upper and lower container of each pair'and establishing free communication therebetween, a vapor outlet from the upper container of each pair, said vapor outlets being manifolded, heating means, and means for fio'wing a stream of oil from one of each pair of containers through the heating means and back to the pair of containers.

3. In an oil still for operation under high pressures, a plurality of pairs of parallel cylindrical oil-containers, the containers of each pair being arranged one vertically above the other, spacing means between the upper and lower container of each pair, a plurality of curved tubes connecting the upper and lower container of each pair and establishing free communication therebetween, vapor outlet from the upper con-- tainer of each pair, said vapor outlets being low the rear ends of the said lower con-r tainers and at a lower level than the first mentioned drum, a conduit from the rear end of each of said lower containers to the.

second drum, a plurality of upwardly in- .-clined tubes between the drums, and means for heating the tubes.

4. In an oil still, a pair of cylindrical oil containers arranged one vertically above the other, spacing means between the containers, tubes between the containers and establishing free communication therebetween, elevated supports, and depending swings suspended from said supports in which the containers are supported.

5. In an oil still, a pair of cylindrical oil containers arranged one vertically above the other, spacing means between the containers, tubes between the containers and establislr ing free communication therebetween, elevated supports, depending swings suspended from said supports in which the containers are supported, a furnace setting below. the containers, a wall of the setting being extended upwardly to slightly below the lowermost of the containers, heating means with in the setting and means .forconducting'a' stream of oil from the containers through "the setting and back to the containers.

- inclined vertically spaced cylindrical 0011- 6. In an oil still for operatingunder high pressures, a heating chamber, upper and lower'transverse cylindrical drums exterior of said chamber, means placing the interiors of said drums in communication and extend.- ing through the heatingchamber, pairs of longitudinal containers above and exterior of said heating chamber; a conduit connecting one end of one of each of .said pairs with the upper transverse drum and conduits connecting the other end of one of each of said pairs with the lower transverse drum, said, last named conduits 'being exterior of ing chainber',"transverse oil drums above and below said chamber, means passing through the chamber affording free communication between said drums, -a. plurality of sets of taiiicrs above said upper trasverse drum, means establishing free communication between the containers of said sets, other means providing free communication .be-.

tween the ,lower end of the lowermost container of each set and the uppermost'transverse drum, and other means exterior, of said chamber establishing free communication between the upper end of the lowermost container of each of said sets, and the lowermost transverse drum.

8. In a still for cracking oil,- a heating chamber having a furnace connected thereto, an upper and lower drum located outside said heating chamber and "furnace, tubes connecting the drums and passing through the heating chamber, storage drums above and outside said heating chamber, and con 'nections betwcensaid storage drums and said upper and lower drum, located outside said chamber.

9. In a still for cracking oil, a heating chamber having a furnace connected thereto, an upper and lower drum'located outside 'said heating chamber and furnace, tubes connecting the drums 'and passing through the heating chambenlstorage drums above and outside said heating chamber, and connections between said storage drums and said upper and lower drum, locatedoutside said heating chamber, the combustion chamber of said furnace being constructed and arranged so that" the tubes are protected from the direct radiant heat of the furnace.

10. In a still for cracking oil, a heating chamber having a furnace connected thereto,

an, upper and a lower transverse drum located outside said heating chamber and furnace and extending beyondboth said walls thereof, tubes extending through said'heatling chamber and connecting the upper and lower drums, longitudinal drums located above'said furnace, and connections between said longitudinal drums and said upper and lower ,drums, said connections being located entirely outside said heating chamber and said furnace.

' -11. In a still for cracking oil, a heating chamber having a furnace connected thereto, an upperand a lower transverse drum located outside said'heating chamber and furnace and extending beyond both side walls thereof, tubes extending through said heating chamber and connecting the upper and lower drums, a pair of longitudinal drums each located above an end of said upper drum and connections between each end of said upper drum and one of said longitudinal drums and between each end of said lower drum and one of said longitudinal drums.

12. In a still for cracking oil, a'lieating chamber having a furnace connected thereto, an upper and a lower} transverse drum located outside said heating chamber and extending beyond both side walls thereof, tubes extending tliroughsaid heating chain- =ber and connecting the upper and lower drums, a pairof longitudinal drums each located -above an end of said upper drum and .connections between each end of said upper connections and said tubes being constructstructed and arranged to produce a general circulation of oil through the drum and longitudinally thereof.

14. In a still for cracking oil, a pair of horizontally extending storage drums arranged one above the other and connected by a series of nipples spaced along their length and arranged to permit a free circulation of the oil between the drums, the lower drum having an oil inlet at one end and an oil outlet at the opposite end construeted and arranged to produce a general circulation of oil through the drum and longitudinally thereof, said nipples being curved to permit expansion without undue strain on the connections between the nipples and the drums.

15. In a still for cracking oil, a pair of horizontally extendingstorage drums arranged one above the other and connected by a series of nipples spaced along their length and arranged to permit a free circulation of the oil between the drums, the lower drum having an oil inlet at one end and an oil outlet at the opposite end constructed and arranged to produce a general circulation of oil through the drum and longitudinally thereof, at least the upper storage drum being inclined to provide a vapor and gas outlet near the highest end of the drum and the oil inlet and outlet of the lower drum being arranged to cause the general circulation of oil through the drums in a direction toward saidvapor and gas outlet.

i 16. Ina still, an upper and a lower transverse drum, heating tubes connectlng the transverse drums, a longitudinal storage drum above the upper transverse drums,

connecting the drums, longitudinal storage drums arranged one above the other in tiers above the upper transverse drum, a connection leading from the upper transverse drum to a point adjacent one end of the'lowest drum of each tier of storage drums, and a connection leading downward from near the opposite end of the lowest drum of each tier of storage drums to the lower transverse drum, the longitudinal drums in each tier being connected by nipples spaced at intervals along the axes of the drums.

18. In a still for crackingoil; an upper and a lower transverse drum, heating tubes connecting the drums, longitudinal storage drums arranged one above the other in tiers above the upper transverse drum, a connection leading from the upper tranverse drum to a point adjacent one end of the lowest drum of each tier of storage drums, and a connection leading downward from near the opposite end of the lowest drum of each tier of storage drums to the lower transverse drum, the longitudinal drums in each tier being connected by nipples spaced at intervals along the axes of the drums, said nipples being curved to permit expansion withoutundue strains.

ROBERT E. HUMPHREYS; 

